Self Care for DevelopersMary Frances

Associate Program Director for New Congregations200 Hour Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher

Owner, teacher, student at Divine Power Yoga

Who Needs Another Lecture?2009 Leadership Article by Lillian Daniels

But ultimately, the notion of self-care does not work because we don't have in us what is required. Self-care is the Band-Aid we put on spiritual exhaustion, dark nights of the soul, and the disappointment of consecutive losing seasons in a long ministry. It seems odd that as Christians, we would tell one another that the answer to such woes lies in ourselves, and in our own will power and our own resolutions to do better. We take a spiritual problem that affects a community and give it an individualistic and therapeutic answer.

What are your obstacles?

Reserve Family TimeAnd personal timeAnd prayer timeSet and honor the boundaries between work

and family time/personal timeStart a routine and stick to it

Find an accountability partner

Protect Your PrivacyBe aware of the challenges of having an office

within your home.Have a different phone number than the ministry.Do not invite unannounced visitors or anyone else

from ministry into your home during family times (family night, special dinner, game night, birthday parties, Saturday morning pajama parties, etc.).

Do not expect your family members to take the role of phone receptionist, musician, Sunday School teacher, etc.

Take a regularly scheduled day off.

Clarify ExpectationsBe clear about your roleBe clear about the role of your familyBe clear about the role of leaders in the new

ministry

Build Friendships70% of church leaders say they don’t have a

close friend to share concerns withFriends outside of the ministry can be your

best supportFriends within the ministry can be

problematic

Seek HelpSeeking help is a sign of strength, not

weaknessSpiritual directorCounselingSupport Group

Find a Mind/Body/Spirit practiceYogaMeditationPhysical ExerciseLearn new thingsRead something other than ministry books